Weekly rant: Impulsive Purchases
I decided to start a weekly rant to talk of general stuff, trying to keep a certain thematic. This week theme will be impulsive purchases inspired by a friends blog post .
Some people would say that I spend too much money, but I actually think that I manage it quite well. It’s true that many times I see something that sparks my interest and I just buy it. For example a few weeks ago I received an email from my manga supplier about some nice opportunities to purchase model kits, when I went to the store to get some books my eye was caught by the models he had on display, and couldn’t resist ordering a couple, after that I proceeded to buy supplies to make a good assembly and then paint it. At this time it’s a work in progress and I can say that I’m enjoying it very much, not only that but I’m also considering buying an airbrush .
An airbrush is somewhat expensive but not only do you add value to your work, since you have much more control than using regular spray cans and brushes, but it actually pays itself, since only with the primer it’s possible to save about 6€ for each model. When there is something that pays itself and gets the work done faster and better, how can someone not buy one ?!
Buying the kits and the materials to paint them of course doesn’t pays itself but it’s an investment for spending the free time well, because, let’s face it, the money sitting in the bank account is worth nothing. Of course you can invest it to make more, but by itself it doesn’t give you anything (unless you can get satisfaction by seeing big number on your account).
One thing I will never do is buy stuff by credit except a house. If I have money to buy something and I want it then I buy it. We live only once, so there is no sense on restraining yourself as long as you keep control of your finances.
How can something like that be done ? Well you get a long term investment plan and put some money there monthly or so, then you do the same for mid and short term. That money is stored you shouldn’t access it unless you really need it, and it will keep itself above the inflation and give you a bit more for your retirement/house/car, expensive stuff. Then you get the money you need to pay your taxes, fees and whatever else you need. Whats left you can save for whatever you like(vacation trips, game consoles a new tv set, whatever). As long as you can keep these 3 components of your funds balanced you will know that you are saving what you need to save and if you see something you want and have enough cash set aside for luxury stuff then by all means buy it.
My mother constantly says that now is when I should work like crazy to build my carrier, but I disagree. It doesn’t make sense to think of only working and saving everything for when I’m 70, since for each year that passes the probability of reaching the next decreases, and there are many things that I can do today that I won’t be able to do (or do as well) when I’m 70. Like everything else, work and other occupations must be balanced, why should we live to work ? It makes much more sense that we work to live, as best as it is possible everyday of our lives and one day at a time.
So don’t spend like crazy, buying everything in front of you, try to justify it’s value, but if you believe that it will give you many good times then there is no sense on deciding not too because you are saving for when you are old.
